Jindal arm plans defence foray, aims to build armoured vehicles
NEW DELHI: JSL Lifestyle Ltd (JSLL), a unit of India’s largest integrated stainless steel producer, plans to build armoured and bullet-proof vehicles for the country’s armed forces.
The company, along with its partner, is testing the prototype of the new vehicle, and once the product is approved, it will start manufacturing parts of this vehicle at a new plant located near its existing facility near Gurugram.
“We are developing a host of products for the defence sector, but most are at the prototype or testing stage. In a year’s time, this line will become stronger with the firm looking to become a major supplier of equipment to the sector, and entities already have large-scale presence in the sector,” Rajesh Mohata, chief executive and executive director, JSLL, said in an interview. “India is looking to become atmanirbhar (self-reliant), and our initiative in defence is aimed at providing this.”
“We will be submitting the first prototype of a bullet-proof stainless steel armoured vehicle in 42 weeks from now. Production details will be worked out later after defence gives orders post thorough testing,” Mohata said. High-grade steel would not only make the surface of the vehicle bullet-proof, but will also prevent rusting of the body in extreme climatic conditions.
Steel for this product will come from the parent Jindal Stainless Ltd and will be fabricated at JSLL’S facilities. Though the company is supplying components and fabricated stainless steel to defence sector customers, armoured vehicles would be its first big push in the segment.
The defence ministry has set a revenue target of ₹1.75 lakh crore from aerospace, defence goods and services by 2024. A large portion of this will come from the private sector either through alliances with ordnance factories or on their own.
JSLL will also supply stainless steel water tanks for border areas and manufacture bullet-proof stainless steel barricades.
Mohata said that once defence orders are received, the company would set up a new facility with a defence production line near its existing manufacturing facility in Pathredi near Gurugram.
The company is also looking at setting up manufacturing operations in states where such facilities are available under plug-andplay mode. It has already started work on a new manufacturing facility in Chennai that will cater to its railway business of coaches and wagons.